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      Updating Website Plugins

      The why, when, and how for updating your WordPress admin portal plugins.

      \ Why update your WordPress plugins 

      Keeping your website up to date is crucial to keep your website secure and supercharged! As software, WordPress plugins receive updates from their developers for a wide range of purposes that include:

      1. Exciting new features: Updates introduce cool new functionalities to improve your website.
      2. Improved performance: Updates optimize the plugin's speed and efficiency, making everything run smoothly.
      3. Bug fixes and boosted security: Updates squash any pesky bugs and fortify your website's security, keeping it safe.
      4. Seamless compatibility: Updates ensure the plugin plays well with the WordPress version and other software, preventing hiccups.

      \ When to update plugins 

      The frequency of how often it's recommended to update your website plugins can vary per site, typically ranging from biweekly to every few months. To determine the frequency of your site, monitor how often the plugins you use come out with updates. Then look at setting a regularly scheduled maintenance time for completing the updates. 

      \ Best practices for updating plugins 

      • Always back up the website before updating the plugins. This ensures you have a restore point in case something goes wrong during the update process.
      • Keep the website updated to the latest version of WordPress. This ensures that the plugins work correctly with the newest version of WordPress.
      • Only update the plugins that you are using. If you have plugins that you are not using, it's best to deactivate and delete them from your website.
      • Read the release notes for each plugin before updating. This helps you understand what changes will be made to the plugin and whether there are any potential compatibility issues.
      • Test the website thoroughly after the update to ensure everything works as expected.
      • Only update one plugin at a time and test after each one to ensure that nothing breaks. If it did cause an issue, knowing what app is causing it will be beneficial and less time-consuming to get it back up and working.

      \ How to update plugins 

      Step 1: Make a backup of the website before updating the plugins. This is an essential step as it ensures you have a backup to restore to if something goes wrong during the plugin update process.

      Step 2: Log in to the WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to the plugins section. The login URL is typically your website URL/admin or /wp-admin

      Step 3: Check for any updates available for the plugins. If updates are available, you should see a notification next to each plugin that requires an update.

      Step 4: Review all plugins for the following:

      • Plugins that are not currently being used and decide if you should deactivate.
      • Verify compatibility to ensure that the plugin you're considering is compatible with your existing WordPress version. You can find this information typically on the plugin page.
      • Check for any bugs or issues relating to the update for the plugin. Check the plugin page and forums for insights into potential problems associated with the latest plugin version. If issues are voiced, consider selecting an alternative plugin or awaiting the next update to see if the issue has been fixed.

      Step 5: Click the "Update Now" button next to the plugin that needs updating.

      Step 6: Wait for the plugin to update. This process usually takes seconds to several minutes, depending on the update's size.

      Step 7: Test the website to ensure everything works properly after the update. You can quickly test by going to the home button at the top of the dashboard, hovering over your logo, and selecting "Visit Site". Once you have confirmed the section of your website affected by the plugin you updated is working, you can hit the back button on your web browser, and it will take you back to your admin dashboard. 


      \ Additional support 

      If you're having trouble with a plugin after an update, don't worry - there are a few things you can do to fix the issue. Follow these steps to get your plugin working again:

      1. Confirm compatibility and check for conflicts with other plugins: First, ensure that the plugin you're having trouble with is compatible with your website's version and doesn't conflict with any other plugins you use. You can check the plugin's documentation or contact its support team.
      2. Restore the previous version of the plugin: If you recently updated the plugin and it stopped working correctly, restore the previous version. You can do this from your website's plugin management page.
      3. Clear your cache and cookies: Sometimes, a plugin issue can be caused by cached data in your browser. To fix this, clear your browser's cache and cookies. You can do this by going to your browser's settings menu.
      4. Reach out to the plugin's support team for assistance: If none of the above steps work, it's time to contact the plugin's support team. They'll be able to help you troubleshoot the issue and get your plugin working again.
      5. Reach out to Vye’s support for additional assistance: You can find the online support ticketing system at the bottom of the Vye website. Just click on "Support". The direct link for this support ticket is here: https://www.vye.agency/support

      **Note: Requests outside your server and hosting support agreement with Vye will incur a fee at our hourly rate. Billable requests include but aren't limited to website updates, creation or retrieval of backups, content or imagery updates, etc.